Policy World

Can we ensure the current path of digital technology innovation serves all citizens equally?

In this month's Q&A Dr Robert Pepper of Facebook considers the way technology has evolved and looks to the next stage of evolution. And while the current path of digital technology innovation is seen as inevitable and good for the economy and citizens, Robin Mansell, writing in the last issue of InterMedia, argues there are looming and profound questions about digital
divides we cannot ignore.

Empowering citizens, ensuring privacy and protecting the vulnerable whilst creating a fertile environment for innovation and investment is a delicate balancing act for governments, industry and regulators. This is a perennial theme for IIC meetings. Next in our calendar will be the TMF in Washington DC where we will be focusing on digital transformation and how we enable an open and secure space for future global communication.

We hope to see you there.

Telecommunications & Media Forum
5 - 6 December, Washington DC

Opening keynotes from the FCC

Focusing on digital transformation and how we enable an open and secure space for future global communication, the final TMF of the year will open with keynotes from Ajit Pai, chair of the FCC, and include speakers from US State Department, Federal Trade Commission and Verizon

Telecommunications & Media Forum
5-7 February, Singapore

A glimpse of the IIC’s 2018 calendar

In February we will be holding a three-day TMF and Regional Regulators’ Forum in Singapore. Fostering innovation and investment while ensuring good governance are just some of the issues we will be examining.

More information to follow

Q & A with Dr Robert Pepper, Facebook

Past, Present and Future of Convergence in Communications

This month Policy World talks to Dr Robert Pepper, Head of Global Connectivity Policy and Planning at Facebook. We asked him to share his insights into the evolution of the internet over the last 20 years.

Next year our Annual Conference and International Regulators’ Forum will be in Mexico City. We will be heading there in January to meet with existing and future IIC Partner members to discuss keynote topics and panel discussions.

The conference opened with regulators from Taiwan, France, India, USA, Botswana and Mexico (pictured) sharing their objectives and priorities in the short and medium term. The whole week was rich in discussion, debate, workshops and networking.

70 regulatory and industry dignitaries heard talks from Robert Viola of the EC, Angelo Marcello Cardani of AGCOM and Sébastien Soriano of ARCEP and as well as a thought provoking presentation by Dr Robert Pepper of Facebook charting industry milestones over the last 20 years.

New Developments in Canadian Communications Law and Policy
14-15 November 2017, Ottawa

IIC Canada Chapter

Grace Koh, Special Assistant to President Trump for Technology, Telecom and Cybersecurity, gave the keynote at this event which examined developments in Canadian and international communications law and policy.

More details to follow

Are we losing control?
InterMedia, October 2017 Vol 45 Issue 3

InterMedia

The current path of digital technology innovation is seen as inevitable and good for the economy and citizens. But as Robin Mansell writes, there are looming and profound questions about digital divides we cannot ignore

Teenagers watching putlocker.com, controversy over the Russia-funded election ads and major consumer brands appearing next to ISIS recruitment videos all present headaches for content providers and regulators. This meeting examined the regulatory underpinnings currently being assessed

A debate that will shape the future of all cars sold is how to get internet-connected vehicles to “talk” to each other while travelling. Car makers largely favour a short-range technology V2V, whilst telcos are backing an open, long-range cellular system - the latter is reliant on 5G which isn't anticipated as a global roll-out until 2020.

US equities indices are poised for a revamp to keep up with the evolving nature of communications, reports the Financial Times. S&P Dow Jones Indices and MSCI plan to ditch the telecommunications sector after a wave of consolidation combining its current constituents with media and entertainment to create a new communications services sector.